Howard-Everton deal

Just received the following communique from our friends at Everton:

***Everton has announced that a deal has been completed with Manchester United to make Tim Howard a permanent addition to the club's ranks. Everton has agreed an undisclosed fee with the Old Trafford outfit for the US international goalkeeper.

Howard has committed his long-term future to the Blues with a five-year deal that will run until 2012 and begins at the end of the season. The 27-year-old arrived at Goodison last summer on a season-long loan, establishing himself as David Moyes' first-choice keeper.

He has made 27 appearances for the Toffees, keeping an impressive 11 clean sheets. Howard told evertonTV exclusively: "The Club share my ambition, that is for sure - the manager does and so do the fans. I was drawn to the club for a number of reasons and the players in the dressing room are one of them."

Although the transfer window is currently shut, Premier League rules permit domestic loan deals to be made permanent outside the window. By moving now for the goalkeeper, Everton have ensured one of the Premiership's most consistent performers will remain at Goodison for the peak years of his career.

Everton boss David Moyes told evertonfc.com: "We are delighted to have Tim Howard. He has come in this season and proved he is a good keeper and we are pleased to have secured him."